On 23 October 2024, US Army Lieutenant General Charles Constanza warned that Russia is honing its military capabilities while fighting Ukrainian forces trained and equipped by Western countries, modernizing both forces and tactics. NATO's European commander Christopher Cavoli stressed Russia will emerge stronger regardless of the war's outcome. Germany's intelligence chief Bruno Kahl flagged the risk of Russia being capable of striking NATO territory within six years. Polish President Andrzej Duda further highlighted the possibility of Russia attaining military capability to attack NATO as soon as 2026-27. These assessments underline Western concern about Russia's evolving military threat amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

On 23 October 2024, US Army Lieutenant General Charles Constanza warned that Russia is honing its military capabilities while fighting Ukrainian forces trained and equipped by Western countries, modernizing both forces and tactics. NATO's European commander Christopher Cavoli stressed Russia will emerge stronger regardless of the war's outcome. Germany's intelligence chief Bruno Kahl flagged the risk of Russia being capable of striking NATO territory within six years. Polish President Andrzej Duda further highlighted the possibility of Russia attaining military capability to attack NATO as soon as 2026-27. These assessments underline Western concern about Russia's evolving military threat amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.